It is a statutory requirement of the International Load Line Convention that, noting exemptions, “the Master of every new vessel be supplied with sufficient information, in an approved form, to enable him to arrange for the loading and ballasting of his ship in such a way as to avoid the creation of any unacceptable stresses in the ship’s structure.” Where the Master feels that he has insufficient information regarding the structural limitations or requires advice on the interpretation of the classification society’s structural limitations imposed on his ship, advice should be sought from the ship’s classification society. The ship’s approved loading manual is an essential onboard documentation for the planning of cargo stowage, loading and discharging operations. This manual describes:
i) The loading conditions on which the design of the ship has been based, including permissible limits of still water shear force and bending moments.
ii) The results of calculations of SWSF and SWBM for each included loading condition.
iii) The allowable local loading of the structure.
iv) Operational limits.
The ship’s loading manual is a ship specific document, the data contained therein is only applicable to the ship for which it has been approved.
The loading computer is an invaluable shipboard calculation tool which assists the ship’s cargo officer in:
i) Planning and controlling cargo and ballasting operations.
ii) Rapidly calculating SWSF and SWBM for any load condition.
iii) Identifying the imposed structural limits which are not to be exceeded.
It is important to note that the loading instrument is not a substitute for the ship’s loading manual. Therefore, the officer in charge should also refer to the loading manual when planning or controlling cargo operations. A loading instrument or loading computer can be either an analog or digital system. The ship’s loading instrument is a ship specific onboard equipment and the results of the calculations are only applicable to the ship for which it has been approved.
Ref: Bulk carrier guide website
